March 27, 2012
| Today’s hike was on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia from Dicks Creek Gap southward to Deep Gap shelter and back. Total hike – 8 miles – strenuous due to several mountain climbs.
HIKERS – John Bellamy, June Bellamy, Karen Brown, Pam Euliss, Dave Hinson, Tyler Hinson, Jack Jacobi, Jeanne O’Connor, Don Preece, Donna Presley, Tony Presley, Vic Robson, Dan Ross, Lynne Saporito, Pom Sinnock, and Carole Wintle. TRAIL INFO. – This portion of the Appalachian Trail has great mountain views all along the trail along with a view of Lake Burton. The hills and rocky terrain are typical of the Georgia portion of the A.T. Today was another day for meeting thru-hikers on their way to Maine. We met hikers from a wide variety of U.S States along with the countries of Germany and Peru. Directions: Take highway 76 west out of Clayton to the Towns County line where the Appalachian Trail crosses the last highway 9 miles before entering into North Carolina. Another great day for a hike! Fair and mild with temperatures ranging from 56 to 68 degrees F. Distance hiked – 8 miles. Rated strenuous due to several mountain climbs FLOWERS IN BLOOM: Trailing Arbutus, Pussytoes, Small Bellwort, Purple Violet, Halberd-leafed Violet, Star Chickweed, Cut-leaf Toothwort, Cinquefoil, Bloodroot, Rue Anemone, Robin’s Plantain, Toadshade (Trillium luteum and cuneatum), Spicebush, Flowering Dogwood, Redbud, Serviceberry, Bluet and Tall Buttercup. BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Black-and-white Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, White Breasted Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-eyed Vireo, Junco. |
 Our starting point for today’s hike. |
 Crossing Highway 76 near the Towns County – Rabun County line. |
 A sure sign of Spring when you see the ferns awakening. |
 Here we head up one of the beautiful North Georgia mountains! |
 A great vista gives a great view of the mountains! |
 From the vista, we see Lake Burton in the valley! |
 Once again we meet lots of thru-hikers on their way to Mt. Katahdin Maine |
 Nice group of Purple Toadshade Trillium. |
 Lunchtime at the Deep Gap Shelter. |
 These shelters are extremely popular this time of year as hundreds of northbound thru-hikers pass through. |
 Many of the shelters have a cable system for hoisting backpacks high above ground to prevent bears from helping themselves overnight. |
 We spotted many nice Bloodroot flowers like this one! |
 Back at Dicks Creek Gap, this group of thru-hikers were waiting on a shuttle to Hiawassee, GA. |
 The OFHC gang for today’s hike! (l-r front) Tony Presley, Donna Presley, Jeanne O’Connor, Dave Hinson, Carole Wintle, Lynne Saporito and “Angus” and Jack Jacobi. (l-r back) Pam Euliss, Tyler Hinson, Karen Brown, Don Preece, Pom Sinnock and Vic Robson. (not pictured – John Bellamy, June Bellamy and Dan Ross) |